Horsethief Canyon Fire Update 9/22
Incident: Horsethief Canyon Wildfire
Released: 9/22/2012
Horsethief Canyon Fire UpdateSaturday, September 22, 2012Contact Fire Information 307.739.5577 or 208.940.0642HorsethiefCanyonFire@gmail.com
Size: 3,373 acres Percent Contained: 92 Start Date: September 8Resources: 4 Crews; 2 Helicopters; 4 Engines Total Personnel: 245Cost to Date: $8.3 million
Resources are steadily departing the Horsethief Canyon Fire as containment on the fire increases. Crews worked yesterday to dismantle pumps and hose from around the fire perimeter and will continue that work today. Rehab work has begun on firelines and staging areas. Along with that, firefighters today will continue mop-up operations and will be monitoring fire behavior. The active area of the fire is in Wilson Canyon where very steep terrain has hampered containment efforts.A low pressure system will move across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, before reaching the Jackson area on Monday. This cell should bring moisture and winds that will help dissipate some of the smoke in the valley and possibly provide wetting rain.
The Bridger-Teton National Forest reduced the area closure surrounding the Horsethief Canyon Fire yesterday afternoon. Newly open trails include Cache Creek and the Snow King Summit and Summit Ridge. The Elk Refuge Road also opened on Friday to all traffic with no restrictions. Refuge users are reminded to maintain awareness as helicopters will continue to work from there for the time being.
For additional information, visit http://inciweb.org/incident/3241/ or http://www.tetonfires.com/. Sign up at http://www.nixle.com/ for emergency updates from Teton County. With the direct threat of the Horsethief fire abating, all homeowners are encouraged to take actions to make their homes more survivable against wildfire. Information can be found at http://www.firewise.org/. Please remember that open burn restrictions are still in place.
Today will be the last day that information staff is on hand at Bridger-Teton National Forest Supervisor's Office Log Cabin at 340 North Cache. Information will continue to be available online.
